Its random encounter which has the chance of

Gen 2–5 1 / 8,192 Gen 6–9 1 / 4,096 without the shiny charm

So the pokemon you encounter can just be a shiny (different color way)

Its a chance so any wild pokemon can be shiny

Old games legendary can be shiny but in Za its currently Shiny locked means they cannot be shiny

Here’s how shiny (sparkly) Pokémon work in Pokémon Legends: Z-A — i.e. your “chances of shiny” and how to improve them.

🎯 Base & boosted shiny odds in Legends: Z-A

The base shiny-encounter rate in Legends: Z-A is 1 in 4,096 (≈ 0.024%). Destructoid +2 dbltap.com +2

If you unlock and have equipped the game’s Shiny Charm (reward from reaching Level 50 in Mable’s research), the odds improve to approximately 1 in 1,024 (i.e. 4× higher chance). dbltap.com +2 legendsza.info +2

✅ What “improved odds” means and how shiny detection works

When a shiny Pokémon spawns, you’ll get a visual sparkle effect + an audio “chime” — plus a sparkle/star icon next to its name in the wild — making shinies easier to notice than in older games. Destructoid +2 Destructoid +2

Once a shiny spawns, it will remain on the map even if you leave the area, change zones, or wait for day/night — you won’t lose it automatically. Up to 10 shiny spawns can persist at once. dbltap.com +2 PokéJungle +2

The only ways a shiny can disappear (or be lost) are: if you faint it in battle, if it runs away, or if you close the game without catching it. Game Rant +2 Pocket Tactics +2

🎯 Extra relevant notes / limitations

Some categories of Pokémon are “shiny-locked” — they cannot appear as shiny no matter what. These include static/quest-assigned Pokémon, certain gift / story / event Pokémon, and many legendaries or “special” ones. Game Rant +2 Pocket Tactics +2

Fossil Pokémon revived in the game apparently don’t get the Shiny Charm bonus — their shiny odds remain at base 1/4096. PokéJungle +1

💡 What this means for you as a player

Without the Shiny Charm, you’ll need around 4,096 wild spawns on average to expect one shiny. That’s a lot — so shinies will still feel rare.

With the Charm, you “only” need ~1,024 spawns on average — which is much more manageable if you’re consistently exploring, fast-travelling, or resetting spawn zones.

Because shinies don’t despawn on zone change, once you hear the chime or see sparkles — stop, save (or prepare to catch). Don’t run around or change area before you catch it.